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Cablegate: Ankara Media Reaction Report,

Published: Tue 13 Apr 2004 01:26 PM
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 002137
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR INR/R/MR, EUR/SE, EUR/PD, NEA/PD, DRL
JCS PASS J-5/CDR S. WRIGHT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OPRC KMDR TU
SUBJECT: ANKARA MEDIA REACTION REPORT,
TUESDAY, APRIL 13, 2004
THIS REPORT WILL PRESENT A TURKISH PRESS SUMMARY UNDER
THREE THEMES:
HEADLINES
BRIEFING
EDITORIAL OPINION
HEADLINES
MASS APPEAL
Denktas to Address Turkish Parliament April 15 - Sabah
600 Iraqis Killed for Revenge of 4 American Lives - Sabah
Richard Perle: "Muslim World Needs More Ataturks" - Hurriyet
Arinc Invites Denktas to Speak to Turkish Parliament -
Milliyet
US: "No Alternative to the Annan Plan" - Hurriyet
Erdogan Responds to Denktas: "I Have not Been Deceived" -
Turkiye
OPINION MAKERS
Denktas Steps Back on His Intention to Resign - Zaman
Greek Cypriots Press For Delayed Referendum - Radikal
Tension Continues in Felluce - Radikal
US in Search of Solution in Iraq - Cumhuriyet
Bush Follows in Hitler's Foot Steps - Yeni Safak
BRIEFING
Cyprus: "Milliyet" reports that Turkish Parliament Speaker
Bulent Arinc has invited Denktas to speak to the Parliament
on April 15. Some papers interpret this invitation as an
effort to balance Prime Minister Erdogan's recent comments
about Denktas. "Milliyet" notes that this could be a
farewell speech for Denktas if he opts to resign following
the April 24 referendum. "Cumhuriyet" claims that Denktas
believes the Turkish government was not given all the
details of the Annan plan, and that Erdogan was `deceived'
on the Cyprus issue. "Turkiye' reports Erdogan's response
to Denktas' remarks. Speaking during an official visit in
Japan, Erdogan said that `these are ugly remarks, and I have
not been deceived'. "Milliyet" notes that in the wake of
Greek Cypriot pressure for delaying the referendum, Turkey
urgently requested UN support for holding the referenda as
scheduled.
Iraq: Most papers report that despite the cease-fire,
tension continues in Fallujah. "Sabah" reports that 600
Iraqis, most of them civilians, had been killed in Fallujah
as revenge for 4 Americans who were murdered and mutilated
there ten days ago. "Yeni Safak" claims in a banner front-
page headline that President Bush is `walking in the
footsteps of Hitler.' The paper cites the British `Daily
Telegraph' as its source, and notes a British commander
criticizing US soldiers for a `shoot first, ask questions
later' approach in Iraq.
EDITORIAL OPINION
"Turkish Cypriots must say `Yes'"
Cengiz Candar observed in the mass appeal "DB-Tercuman"
(4/13): "If both sides in Cyprus accept the Annan Plan in
the April 24 referenda, the `United Republic of Cyprus' with
Turkish Cypriots as equal political partners will join the
EU. . In an effort to guarantee the Greek Cypriots'
`Republic of Cyprus' membership in the European Union on May
1 (i.e., without the Turks), AKEL has asked for a
postponement of the April 24 referenda. This means that
AKEL prefers to see the Turkish Cypriots as a minority
rather than an equal political partner. AKEL is openly
pursuing a nationalist policy in a leftist disguise. . No
matter how narrow their vision may be, Greeks Cypriots'
opposition to the Annan Plan is understandable. The Turks'
national interests require acceptance of the plan. .
Turkish nationalists' opposition to the UN-sponsored plan
will only legitimize the Greeks' vision for a `Republic of
Cyprus.' . The Turkish Government must convince the EU and
the US to openly warn the Greek Cypriots that if the plan is
accepted by the Turks and rejected in Southern Cyprus,
international sanctions against the Turkish Cypriots will be
removed immediately. The Greek Cypriots must be told that
Turkish Cyprus will be given a special status until the
Greek side accepts the plan. It must also be declared that
if the Greek Cypriots reject the plan, the referendum will
be repeated only on the Greek side of the island."
"Dangerous game"
Hasan Cemal commented in the mass appeal "Milliyet" (4/13):
"Diplomatic sources in Ankara say that the postponement of
the April 24 referenda would be against the roadmap laid out
in the Annan Plan. . It is the Greek Cypriots who are
really against the plan. They do not want a new state, but
prefer to include the Turks as a minority within their
existing state, according to Ankara. The European Union
erred in announcing its acceptance of Cyprus' membership in
the EU even though no solution has been reached. . AKEL's
intention to oppose the Annan Plan has disappointed those
who support the plan in the Turkish sector, because a `no'
vote in the south will leave northern Cyprus outside the EU
even if the Turkish Cypriots accept the UN blueprint. .
Turkish Cypriot politicians think that AKEL is playing a
dangerous game. The UN, US and EU must see the trick for
what it is and take action immediately. Such blackmail by
the Greek Cypriots will not only divide Cyprus, but will
jeopardize peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean
and Aegean."
EDELMAN
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